Citywest ETNS First Class

June 2022

6/29/2022

School's Out For Summer!

What a a year! It's hard to believe that our time in Senior Infants has come to an end.

Thank you for a wonderful year filled with love, happiness and joy. Miss you all already.

Time really does fly when you're having fun!

Wishing you all a safe and happy summer. Do things that bring you joy!

All my love,

Laura

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S.E.S.E

3/31/2022

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Save the Earth

We have been learning about ways in which we can care for our environment and our planet.

We started by exploring the concept of recycling. We read the story of "The Messy Magpie" and discussed topics such as litter, animal welfare and recycling. This was an interesting start to our learning!

We discussed items that are suitable for recycling and those that are not. We completed a cut and stick activity based on this. Check out this photograph of our work on display in our classroom!

We moved forward with this learning and explored other ways, apart from recycling, to care for the planet. We discussed some things that we can do to help:

Turn of the lights when we are not using them,
Wear warm clothes instead of turning on the heating at home,
Conserve water,
Remember to close the fridge door,
Walk, cycle or scoot to school.

We consolidated this learning through illustration. Check out some photographs of our work below.

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Integrated Learning

3/31/2022

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Minibeast Madness!

Recently, we have been learning about minibeasts.

We looked a variety of photographs and identify some familiar minibeasts (e.g. spider, ant, bee, worm, slug, ladybird, snail, etc.). We shared some stories, facts and experiences with one another.

We focused, in particular, on the ladybird. We watched videos, looked at photographs and read stories about the ladybird.

We listened to the story of "The Grouchy Ladybird" by Eric Carle. Inspired by this, we created our own stories, with the ladybird as the main character. We focused on creating stories with a beginning, middle and end. We took some time to illustrate an event that happened at part. Our work is on display outside our classroom. Check it out!

We used egg cartons to create our own ladybirds. We painted its body using red and black paint. Then, we use PVA glue to stick on some eyes. We finished by creating wings using red card and black paint. We are really proud of this work!

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Construction in Laura's Class

1/27/2022

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Build It Up, Build It Up, Build It Higher!

This month, we have been busy exploring construction.

We created a mind map of the things we already know about construction, including tools, clothing, health and safety, roles of the adults and different types of buildings.

Our teacher created a "Construction Area" in our classroom. We explored and played in this space during Play Rota.

As part of Play Rota, we also constructed using Lego, Polydrons and recycled materials (Junk Art).

Check out some of our Polydron constructions below!

We have also been busy learning about materials. We identified, discussed and explored a variety of materials (wood, metal, plastic, rubber, fabric, tissue, paper, etc.). We experimented with the effects of water on some of these materials. This was really interesting!

In line with our learning about materials, we read the story of The Three Little Pigs. We responded to the story, noting the materials that were best for building (and for keeping the Big Bad Wolf at bay!).

We studied photographs of famous constructions from all around the world- The Eiffel Tower, The Golden Gate Bridge, The Burj Khalifa, to name but a few. Many of us shared our experiences of travelling and visiting some of these constructions.

We then took some time to plan and design our own construction. Some of us designed bridges, towers, houses and even playgrounds. Perhaps we have some architects among us!

This month has been full of rich and meaningful learning experiences about construction and materials.

Check out some photographs of our learning below.

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Maths is Fun!

1/20/2022

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Time to Learn!

Last week, as part of Maths, we learned about time. Our focus for this learning was on how to read time in one hour intervals.

We identified the different parts of the clock- the face, the big hand, the small hand, numbers- and practiced reading the time using a clock from our classroom.

Soon, we felt ready to start creating clocks of our own. First, we wrote the numbers on the clock, ensuring we positioned them in the correct order. Then, we designed and coloured the face. We then spent time cutting and colouring a big hand and a small hand. We stuck the hands on the clock so that it read ten o'clock. This time is important to us at school as it marks the beginning of first yard.

Our clocks are now on display in our classroom. We feel super proud of this work.

We have been reading the time informally throughout the day at school. Go us!

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Happy New Year!

1/14/2022

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Winner, Winner!

This week, at assembly, our class received a certificate for the Friendliest Class. What a feeling!

We have been working hard on showing respect, kindness and understanding to others. Recently, we have focused on greeting others by name (and with a big smile!).

What a great start to the New Year!

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Maths is Fun!

11/26/2021

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2D Shapes

We have recently been learning about 2D shapes.

We learned about a circle, square, rectangle and triangle in a variety of ways. We engaged in some interesting talk and discussion about the sides and corners of each shape. Did you know that a circle has one curved side?

We progressed to some station teaching. We spent six minutes at each station and completed a different activity based on 2D shapes. These activities included creating shapes from playdoh, using whiteboards and markers to draw 2D shapes, creating 2D shapes using a piece of string and tracing 2D shapes using a pencil. This was a fun and active way to learn!

We then integrated our Maths and Visual Arts learning by creating 2D shape monsters. We got the chance to practice our cutting skills and to explore our creativity.

We spent some time (and played some interactive games!) learning about pattern. We identified and created shape pattern as well as colour pattern.

Check out some of our work below!

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A Wonderful Wednesday!

11/18/2021

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Hot Cup of Chocolate

Last week, we constructed mugs of hot chocolate in Visual Arts. This week, we tasted some for real!

First, Linda kindly poured some milk into her slow cooker. Then, we each added a heaped tablespoon of Cadbury's drinking chocolate. We took turns to mix the milk and drinking chocolate together (and remembered to make a wish!). We then continued with our learning while the mixture heated up.

After yard, our hot chocolate was just right. We chose a cup and passed it to Sinéad. She filled it using a ladle and returned it to us. We then used a spoon to add marshmallows and/or chocolate sprinkles to our cup. We didn't make much of a mess!

Finally, we had the chance to relax and enjoy our hot cup of chocolate. What a treat!

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Construction Time!

11/12/2021

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Brrrr, It's Cold in Here!

We have spent the last two weeks constructing mugs of hot chocolate as part of our Visual Arts learning.

First, we used lollipop sticks and PVA glue to construct the body of the mug. Then, we took some time to paint them. Finally, we used pipe cleaners to construct a handle, cotton wool to create marshmallows and sequence to decorate our mugs. Now, we use our imagination and pretend that our mugs are filled with tasty hot chocolate!

This activity not only got our creative juices flowing, but helped us to develop our fine motor skills. This activity also connected nicely to some other aspects of our learning, e.g. Winter is approaching and learning about "Bia" in Gaeilge.

We hope to get the chance to enjoy some hot chocolate for real over the coming weeks!

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Let's Get Moving!

11/12/2021

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Cosmic Yoga, Sonic Style!

This month in P.E., we have been learning about athletics. Our focus recently has been on running.

As well as practicing this skill ourselves outdoors and in the P.E. hall, we've spent some time watching videos of athletes competing in races. They ran at super speed! We were very impressed.

We acknowledged that it's not safe to practice running in our classroom. Instead, we decided to engage in some yoga with a super, speedy theme- Sonic the Hedgehog.

Check out some photographs of us in action below!